Chapter 1
Three Questions
Three Questions Summary Analysis and Explanation By Leo Tolstoy
About the author Leo Tolstoy
| Author Name | Leo Tolstoy |
| Born | 9 September 1828, Yasnaya Polyana, Yasnaya Polyana, Russia |
| Died | 20 November 1910, Lev Tolstoy, Russia |
| Short stories | The Prisoner of the Caucasus |
| Movies | Anna Karenina, War, and Peace |
Three Questions Introduction
The lesson talks about life experiences, a wise man bestows on the king. The dilemma of the king was given a thought by various counsels who shared their vision although it was a futile effort from their side as they failed to convince the king. He then reached out for a seer, a hermit who enlightened him with real-life experience.
Three Questions Part 1 Summary of the Lesson
The king gave a thought for consideration that he would always succeed if he could find answers to his three questions. The three things were: What is the right time to begin something? Which people should he listen to? What is the most important thing for him to do?
The king declared to give a large sum of money as a reward to the one who could come up with the answer. He received different answers to his questions.
His first question was answered by many wise men. A few of them suggested that he prepare a timetable, others wanted him to leave everything and engross himself in looking after works.
A few suggested having a council of the wise man to decide everything and others reciprocated that some works need urgent attention. Some gave their opinion to look into the future by taking the help of a magician.
In response to his second question, some wise men said that Rina should listen to his councilors, priests, doctors, or soldiers. For his third question, some said science and religious worship should be the highest priority.
However, the king wasn’t satisfied with any suggestions. He sought after the advice of a hermit, known for his wisdom.
The king visited him in simple clothes and left behind his bodyguards and horse. The hermit lived in a hut and was digging the ground. The king asked him the three questions but received no reply.
As he was old and weak, the king started digging for him. After sometimes, he asked again but did not receive any reply. The king asked again after an hour to which hermit answered that someone was coming.
Three Questions Part 2 Summary of the Lesson
The king turned around, he saw a wounded man. Blood was profusely coming out of his wound and then he fainted. The king, himself washed his wound with his handkerchief until the bleeding stopped.
The man asked for water and the king gave it to him. It was evening and both of them took him inside the hut. The man was lying quietly on the bed and as the king was tired, he slept on the floor. When he woke up, the injured bearded man apologized to him. The king was shocked.
He revealed that he was his enemy because the king had killed his brother and seized his property. He took the opportunity to take revenge. He planned to kill the king as he knew that the king came all alone to the wise man.
He planned to kill him on his way home but as he did not turn up, he came out of hiding place. He came upon his guard who attacked him fiercely as they recognized him.
But, he was indebted to the king who turned out to be his savior, he pledged to save him. The king, in turn, promised to return his forfeited money and to send doctors to look after him properly.
Quiz-1